What’s on Tap for Mobile World Congress

BARCELONA–Thousands of telecom and tech CEOs, vendors, suppliers government officials, reporters and gadgets junkies are descending on Fira Gran Via exhibition center in Barcelona this weekend for the start of Mobile World Congress.

It may not have the cachet of the Consumer Electronics Show, held each January in Las Vegas. But MWC has over the years transformed itself–from largely a trade show for European telecom executives and telco suppliers, into a global showcase in its own right for gadgets and tech companies.

Much of the show’s new swagger comes thanks to the explosive intersection of computing and mobile devices in recent years. Underscoring its new position in the tech world, Facebook Inc. CEO Mark Zuckerberg is giving one of the show’s keynotes.

Jan Koum, WhatsApp chief executive and the guy who just agreed to sell his company to Mr. Zuckerberg for $19 billion, is also addressing the congress, along with a stable of chiefs of the world’s biggest telecom companies.

And there will be plenty of old-tech CEOs, like Virginia Rometty at IBM and John Chambers from Cisco Systems.

Last year’s show attracted more than 72,000 attendees, including 4,300 CEOs from mobile operators, device manufacturers and technology firms. There were 1,700 exhibitor. Oh, and 3,400 journalists.

So what are the biggest things to watch?

– Samsung’s new flagship: Samsung hosts its “Unpacked” event on Monday evening, where the company is expected to unveil its next Galaxy S5 flagship smartphone.

– Nokia’s first Android phone: Having lost its footing on the fast-growing sub-$100 smartphone market, the Finnish company is expected to introduce a low cost-smartphone, aimed for consumers in emerging markets that runs Android…without promoting Google’s services.

–Zuckerberg’s keynote: Faceook’s founder will make his first public appearance after his WhatsApp deal. The acquisition, as well as Mr. Zuckerberg’s presence at the mobile fair, highlights Facebook’s metamorphosis into a mobile company.

– Telco deals?: A long-expected wave of European telecom consolidation will also be on CEOs’ minds when they gather for closed-door meetings. Will AT&T’s Randall Stephenson and Vodafone Group’s Vittorio Colao end up in the same room together? AT&T has made no secret of its interest in buying big into the European market.